Mayuri Upadhya

Mayuri Upadhya (born 30 December 1979) is an Indian choreographer, dancer, entrepreneur and TV personality based in Bengaluru, India. She is also the Artistic Director of the Bengaluru-based dance organisation, Nritarutya.[1]

Mayuri Upadhya
BornDecember 30, 1979 (1979-12-30) (age 41)
Udupi, Karnataka, India
EducationContemporary dance, performing arts
OccupationDancer, choreographer, entrepreneur, educationist
OrganizationNritarutya
Websitewww.mayuriupadhya.com

In January 2018, Mayuri was voted the Best Choreographer by BroadwayWorld, for the longest running musical in Indian history.[2] Mayuri is the winner of the International Choreography Award, Seoul, Uday Shankar Awards for Choreography, and a Manav Ratna for her contribution to Indian arts and culture, in addition to numerous other awards.

Biography

Family and Training

Mayuri was born in the coastal town of Udupi, Karnataka to Muralidhar Upadhya and Shamala Upadhya on 30 December 1979. She is the youngest of two siblings. Her elder sister Madhuri Upadhya is also a choreographer, and is the Associate Director of Nritarutya.[3]

Mayuri is an alumnus of Sri Vani Education Centre and an MES College of Arts, Commerce & Science graduate.

Training

She trained in Bharatanatyam under Indira Kadambi and Minal Prabhu, and Odissi under Uday Shetty. She has also trained in Kathak under Guru Maya Rao and Jayanthi Eswarputhi, and Kalaripayattu under Ranjan Mullaratt. She also has the Arts Council England’s Artist Management credentials to her credit.

Career

Mayuri’s career has foraged beyond the traditional dance network. Her canvas of work depicts a wide range. A beautifully balanced mix of visual interpretations, cultural sensitivity, conditioning future generations, and capacity building, marks her two decades long journey.

The spectrum of her creativity features the cinemascopic renditions, experimental works, emotion-stirring choreography on one hand (her contemporary work, Bollywood movies like Mirzya, the epic musical ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ and ‘Raunaq and Jassi’, and Harivanshrai Bachchan's ‘Madhushala’, to name a few), and her curatorial and conceptualizing prowess on the other hand (designing and leading the Sublime's Teaching for Arts India initiative, curating the dance portfolio for Serendipity Arts Festival (2019-2020), and actively working in preserving and promoting cultural traditions by presenting it in the modern context). And to top it all, Bangalore based dance organization Nritarutya is growing steady and strong under her artistic direction.[4]

Artistic Director - Nritarutya

Founded in 2000, Nritarutya, today, has become one of the foremost contemporary dance organisations in the country with path-breaking creative works, pioneering employment reforms for artists, and introducing creative platforms like Adhyaya and Prayog to the dance fraternity.

Adhyaya,[5] is Nritarutya's festival of dance, celebrating innovation and tradition. It programs and showcases never-before-seen works for Bangalore audiences, inviting artists from across the world with works that is an amalgamation of “innovation and tradition”. Most of the times, artists have created a new piece just to be showcased at Adhayaya. For the first time in 2018, Adhyaya opened its doors to applications from artists the world over seeking an avant garde platform to perform their works in, receiving a whopping 120 entries.

Mayuri's experimental creation initiative Prayog,[6] is a festival that commissions and showcases out-of-the-box Indian dance compositions. All the commissions follow the rule of interpreting mythology in contemporary ways, and is often a melting pot of designers, musicians, painters, choreographers, dancers, and theatre artists.

She got critical acclaim in 2004 with her work ‘Ardhanarishwara’, which talked about the masculinity and the femininity residing within each of us.[7] Oum, Yantra, Footnote, Dwandwa, are few of her earliest works.

After a commission by the Wadiyar of Mysore to create a piece for their kul-devi (family Deity), Mayuri choreographed the highly acclaimed and successful ‘Kali’ in the year 2008, which talks about the deepest recesses of our unconsciousness which is wild, raw and untamed.[8]

‘Parched – 1st Cut’, was created for the Serendipity Arts Festival 2016. The scarcity of water, humankind's mistakes and the obscure truth of our future the highlights of this piece.[9]

‘Parched – Choreographer’s Cut’ is a work-in-progress full length production which Mayuri is working on currently.

As an independent Choreographer

In 2019, Mayuri choreographed the musical Raunaq and Jassi, directed by Feroze Abbas Khan, and produced by Book My Show. It is a Punjabi take on Romeo and Juliet. Her expertise is sought to choreograph on typical Punjabi folk numbers in the musical.[10]

In 2017, Mayuri choreographed the musical Mughal-e-Azam – the play rendition of the 1960s hit movie of the same name. The musical has been the longest running musical in Indian history. Mayuri was voted Best Choreographer by the Broadway World[11] in 2018 for Mughal-E-Azam.

In 2017, Mayuri was invited by TED Talks India Nayi Soch to visually interpret the #100sareepact speaker Anju Kadam's talk on the 6 yard drape, Saree, and choreograph a short sequence.[12]

In 2016 she worked with the Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra Productions for the movie Mirzya, as a choreographer., for which she was nominated at for the Star Guild Awards for Best Choreographer.[13]

In 2015, Mayuri won the prestigious Uday Shankar Award for Choreography.

The same year, she was commissioned by the Prime Minister of India to create a special dance sequence for the Make In India week in Germany,[14] following which, she was commissioned again to create another piece for the Make In India Week in Mumbai,[15] in 2016. Make In India inaugural dance sequence won the European Event Award for the Best Cultural Performance.

In 2014, she choreographed and created another musical, Madhur Milan, for the Industrialist Kokilaben Ambani.[16]

In 2012, she choreographed her first musical – Madhushala[17] – the cinemascopic rendition of the popular poetry epic Madhushala by Harivanshrai Bachchan, which was commissioned by Amitabh Bachchan, for his 70th birthday celebrations – B70.

In 2012, she also performed with the Raghu Dixit Project for Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee Celebrations in the UK.[18]

She also represented India at the International Competition for Choreography Concept in Seoul, South Korea, and was one of the winners there.

She is currently working on the Government of India's Red Fort Project - commissioned by the Dalmia group, and produced by Humor Me, for designing the "sound and light" show for the iconic monument of Red Fort.

She was also one of the artists in focus for The Dewarists Season 3, where she collaborated with Raghu Dixit, Harun Robert and Sridhar for a multi disciplinary dance sequence.

Over the past years, Mayuri has also worked with various fashion designers, like Abu Jaani - Sandeep Khosla,[19] Tarun Tahiliani, Sabyasachi, Anju Modi, Hemant Trivedi, Manish Arora and Wendell Rodricks, and choreographed dance pieces inspired by their fashion lines.[20]

She is also the only choreographer who was invited to create a concept choreography commemorating the martyrs of the 26/11 shooting. It featured megastar Shri Amitabh Bachchan. Event was titled '26/11 - Stories of Strength', a memorial event organised by The Indian Express Group [21][22][23]

As an Entrepreneur and Educationist

Mayuri's work can best be described as a mélange of creativity, entrepreneurship and education.

With Nritarutya, she has pioneered a career module of an artistic company, with a secure salary system and health benefits that compares to the corporate sector. With her independent work, she has incorporated artistic work of different scale and range in her projects. And her capacity building initiatives feature Prayog, Adhyaya, and Sublime's Teaching For Artistic Innovation, which is designed to enhance the creative faculties of children, by using dance as a medium.

For the prestigious Serendipity Arts Festival, Mayuri is the Curator of Dance programs for 2019 and 2020. She is also a panelist at Makers India conference by YourStory on Women's Day (2020)

As a TV artist:

Mayuri is one of the judges for the dancing reality shows Dancing Stars Seasons 2 and 3[24] (a BBC production), and Master Dancer (a Viacom 18 production on Colors Network).

  • Kalank (Bollywood, Dharma Productions Film) - Creative consultant and concept design for the song ‘Ghar More Pardesiya’
  • Shikara (Bollywood, Vidhu Vinod Chopra Film) - Concept and choreography for the song "Mar Jaye hum"
  • Raunaq and Jassi (musical) [25]
  • Mughal-E-Azam (musical)[26]
  • Dancing Stars Seasons 2 & 3 (Dance Reality show)[27]
  • Master Dancer (Dance Reality Show)
  • Madhushala (musical)[28]
  • Madhur Milan (musical)
  • Make In India Ceremony (Stage creation)
  • Parched (Contemporary work)
  • Pro Kabbadi League (Stage creation)
  • Mirzya (Bollywood)
  • Featured in Teachers Genuine Stories - hosted by Rahul Bose featured an exclusive segment on Mayuri and her journey.[29]
  • Dewarists Season 3 Finale (Musical TV Series)
  • Teaching For Artistic Innovation (Dance in Education Program)
  • Choreographed for Mahashivratri celebrations at IshaCenter (2017)
  • PATA (Stage)[30]
  • Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee Celebration at Windsor Castle (represented Asia)
  • Ijjodu (Kannada film)[31] - Choreography for the movie
  • Thamassu (Kannada Film) - Choreography for the title song “thamassu”
  • Pancharangi (Kannada Film) - Choreography for the song “udisuve”

Awards
  • Broadway World Award for Best Choreographer for Mughal-E-Azam (2018)
  • Mysore Rotary's women Achiever award - in recognition of her contribution in arts, felicitated by Smt.Gayathri Devi- The queen of Mysore. (2018)
  • "Manav Ratna" award for contribution in the field of Arts and Culture (2013)
  • International Competition for choreography concept, South Korea (2012)[32]
  • RAPA Best Choreographer Award for Television Commercials, Chennai (2005)[33]
  • Young Women's Achievement Award (2004)
  • Uday Shankar Award[34]

References
  1. "Nritarutya – Contemporary Indian Dance Company". nritarutya.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  2. "Mughal-e-Azam is great theatre". mid-day. 9 October 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  3. "In step with each other". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  4. "ನಾಟ್ಯ ಮಯೂರಿ! - ಪ್ರಜಾವಾಣಿ". ಪ್ರಜಾವಾಣಿ (in Kannada). Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  5. http://www.nritarutya.com/adhyaya/
  6. http://www.nritarutya.com/prayog/
  7. "Nritarutya: dance composition takes a horizontal slant at Ardha Nareshwar". The Economic Times. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  8. "In Kali's Footsteps". The Indian Express. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  9. "Dancing to the rhythm of the Cauvery". oHeraldo. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  10. https://www.mumbailive.com/amp/en/theatre/review-raunaq-and-jassi-by-feroz-abbas-khan-and-bookmyshow-live-romantic-musical-42436
  11. Datta, Sravasti (16 January 2018). "Creating visual poetry of Mughal-e-Azam". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  12. epaper.timesgroup.com https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/PrintPages.aspx?doc=TOIBG/2018/01/08&from=26&to=26&ts=20180111103621&uq=20180115041603. Retrieved 9 April 2018. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. "Dynamics are different". The Hindu. 12 October 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  14. "Namma artiste in Namo's honour". deccanchronicle.com/. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  15. Nandgaonkar, Satish (14 February 2016). "Maharashtra signs three MoUs worth Rs 21,400 crore on Day One". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  16. "Good lord!". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  17. "India Today Headlines Archive- Get News headlines by date | IndiaToday". indiatoday.in. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  18. "Raghu and Mayuri have big plans to impress the Queen of England - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  19. Sangghvi, Malavika (20 August 2012). "An Evening At India Fantastique". Mid Day.
  20. Vijayan, Naveena (16 October 2015). "Amrapali's silver linings jewelbook". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  21. https://indianexpress.com/26-11/
  22. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/photos/26-11-stories-of-strength-a-memorial-to-mark-11th-anniversary-of-mumbai-attacks/ss-BBXlHJO
  23. https://www.adgully.com/26-11-stories-of-strength-89636.html
  24. "Details". vijaykarnatakaepaper.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  25. https://entertainment-weekly.over-blog.com/2020/01/raunaq-and-jassi-a-playful-melange-of-drama-and-music-in-this-beautifully-presented-hindi-play.html
  26. "Reinventing the wheel in art". asianage.com/. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  27. "Mayuri Upadhya to shake a leg on Dancing Star - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  28. "Interview - Mayuri Upadhya: A big milestone for Nritarutya - Lalitha Venkat". narthaki.com. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  29. https://www.viu.com/ott/in/en/hindi/video-english-talk_shows-tv_shows-teacher_genuine_stories_with_nritarutya-1165628955?containerId=playlist-26029938&utm_source=org_socialsharing
  30. "Wizcraft executes the opening ceremony of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) 2015". EVENTFAQS Media. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  31. Mangalore, Mangalore Today. "Mangalore Today | Mangalore, Udupi News and information updated Every hour,Every day". mangaloretoday.com. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  32. "The vision of a choreographer". Deccan Herald. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  33. R, Shilpa Sebastian (12 January 2012). "Naache Mayuri". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  34. "Report - Attendance Annual Awards 2015". narthaki.com. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
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